What documents are needed for a residence card in Poland

Types of Residence Cards

There are several types of residence cards in Poland, which provide foreigners with various rights and opportunities for legal residence in the country. Depending on your goals (study, work, family circumstances or obtaining EU resident status), you can apply for one of three main categories:

1. Temporary residence permit (karta pobytu czasowego)

This type of card is issued to foreigners who plan to temporarily stay in Poland for up to 3 years. The card allows you to live in the country and work (if you have a work permit) for the duration of its validity. It is important to note that a temporary residence card is issued for a specific reason, stated when submitting an application. Possible grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit include:

• Employment – if there is an employment contract with a Polish employer.
• Studying at a Polish university or other educational program.
• Opening and running a business in Poland.
• Family reunification (if one of the family members already has a residence permit or citizenship).

Advantages:

• The right to legally stay in Poland for a specified period.
• The ability to change employers if you have a permit.
• The right to use Polish public services (medicine, education, etc.).

Disadvantages: The temporary residence card requires regular renewal, and the process of obtaining it can take several months.

2. Permanent Residence (karta pobytu stałego)

A permanent residence permit in Poland is issued for an indefinite period, but the card itself must be renewed every 10 years. This type of card provides the holder with more rights and freedoms compared to a temporary residence permit. The card is issued in the following cases:

• The foreigner is the spouse of a Polish citizen and has been married for at least 3 years.
• Availability of a Pole’s Card (a document confirming Polish descent).
• Refugees and persons granted asylum in Poland.
• Children born in Poland to parents with a residence permit or citizenship.

Advantages:

• Permanent right to reside in Poland.
• The possibility of employment without the need to obtain additional permission.
• Access to social and medical services on an equal basis with Polish citizens.
• The possibility of applying for citizenship after several years of residence.

Disadvantages: The process of obtaining a permanent residence card longer and requires proof of a strong connection with Poland.

3. EU Long-Term Resident Card (karta rezydenta długoterminowego UE)

This card is issued to foreigners who have lived in Poland for at least 5 years legally and have a stable source of income. It grants the holder the right to work and live not only in Poland, but also in other EU countries without the need to obtain additional work permits. To obtain an EU long-term resident card, you must meet the following conditions:

• Living in Poland for at least 5 years on the basis of a temporary residence permit.
• Having a stable and sufficient income to support yourself and your family.
• Health insurance covering the costs of treatment in Poland.
• Knowledge of the Polish language at level B1 (sometimes an exam is required).

Advantages:

• The right to work and live in any EU country without additional visas.
• Access to social and educational programs in the EU.
• Stable residence status and protection from deportation.

Disadvantages: A complex application process and the need to prove a stable income and knowledge of the language. Thus, the choice of the card type depends on your personal goals and situation. A temporary residence permit is suitable for students and temporarily employed foreigners, a permanent residence permit is for those who want to settle in Poland for a long time, and an EU residence card opens up opportunities to work and live in other EU countries.

Who is eligible for a residence card?

Obtaining a residence card in Poland is possible for a wide range of foreign citizens, but it is important to understand that access to this document is only granted if certain conditions are met. The right to receive a residence card is granted to those who already have legal grounds for a long-term stay in the country and wish to continue their legal stay for a long time. This may include both employed persons and students, entrepreneurs, as well as those who are in Poland for family reasons. One of the most common categories of applicants are foreigners who have found work in Poland and want to continue their professional activities in the country. In this case, the residence card not only simplifies the legalization of residence, but also provides the opportunity to freely change employers without having to re-apply for a visa. This is especially beneficial for specialists working in in-demand sectors such as IT, finance and engineering. Students at Polish universities can also apply for a temporary residence permit. This allows them not only to continue their studies, but also to work part-time, which is an excellent opportunity to cover living expenses and gain professional experience in a European country. Upon successful completion of their studies, graduates can extend their stay to look for work, making Poland an attractive destination for international students. For entrepreneurs and business owners, the residence card opens access to the European market, which is an important advantage for those planning to develop their business in the EU. It is important to prove a stable income and successful business activity, which confirms the ability to provide for yourself and your family in Poland. This allows you to create a solid foundation for further expansion of the business and entering the international arena. An equally important category are family members of persons who already have a residence permit or Polish citizenship. This is especially true for spouses and children who seek to reunite with their loved ones. In such cases, obtaining a residence card based on family reunification allows you to avoid separate residence and ensures stability for all family members. Foreigners with Polish roots can also count on receiving a residence card based on the Pole’s Card. This makes it possible not only to legalize your stay, but also to enjoy a number of social and economic benefits. To confirm your Polish origin, you must provide documents proving that your ancestors had Polish citizenship or belonged to the Polish people.

Documents required for a residence card

General list of documents

• A completed application form for a residence card.
• Four photographs of the established standards.
• Copies of all pages of the passport (the original is provided for verification).
• Receipt of payment of the stamp duty.
• Medical insurance for the period of stay.
• Biometric data (fingerprints).

Documents for different categories

For employed foreigners

To obtain a card for employment, you need:

• A copy of the employment contract (Umowa o pracę, Umowa zlecenie or Umowa o dzieło).
• Work permit (zawiadczenie or zezwolenie).
• Appendix 1, completed by the employer.

For students

• Certificate of enrollment in an educational institution.
• Confirmation of availability of funds (bank statement, employment contract, scholarship).

For family reunification

• Residence card or citizenship of the spouse.
• Confirmation of income of one of the spouses for the maintenance of the family.
• Additional documents for children (birth certificate, consent of the second parent).

Additional documents

In some cases, will need:

• Birth certificate with a sworn translation.
• Housing lease agreement or certificate of residence in a dormitory (for students).
• Power of attorney, if the documents are submitted by a representative.

Submission of documents for Ukrainians

Due to the military events in Ukraine, the Polish government has taken a number of special measures to simplify the procedure for legalizing stay for Ukrainian citizens. Poland allows Ukrainians who crossed the border after February 24, 2022, to legally stay in the country on the basis of temporary protection. This significantly simplifies the submission of documents for a residence card (karti timchasovogo perebuvannia), allowing many to avoid complex bureaucratic procedures. For Ukrainians staying in Poland on the basis of temporary protection, it is possible to apply for a residence card without having to return to their homeland or apply for additional visas. This is an important advantage, especially for those who have arrived in Poland on an emergency basis.

Required documents and application procedure

Ukrainians wishing to obtain a residence card can apply at the voivodeship office (Urząd Wojewódzki) at their place of residence. However, due to high demand and a limited number of available appointments, the process may take several months. It is important to register for an appointment through the electronic system in advance. When submitting documents, Ukrainian citizens should prepare the following documents:

• A completed application for a residence card.
• A valid passport and a copy of it (if the passport was lost, it may be but provide an internal Ukrainian passport or other identity document).
• Certificate of temporary protection (ukr), issued upon crossing the border.
• Documents confirming the basis for staying in Poland (e.g. employment contract, certificate of enrollment in studies).
• Photographs of the established format (35×45 mm, color).
• Confirmation of health insurance or the right to health care.
• Documents confirming income (e.g. a certificate from the employer or a bank statement).
• Receipt of payment of the state fee.

Features of submission for employees and students

If a Ukrainian works under an employment contract or is engaged in entrepreneurial activity, it is necessary to provide documents confirming this (e.g. an employment contract or an extract from the Central Register of Entrepreneurs). Students of Polish universities will need a certificate of enrollment and proof of payment of tuition fees.

Electronic registration and submission of documents

Many voivodeship offices allow preliminary applications to be submitted via the online system ePUAP (Elektroniczna Platforma Usług Administracji Publicznej). This allows for avoiding long queues and speeds up the processing. However, even when submitting an application online, the applicant will still need to visit the office to submit original documents and submit biometric data.

Tips for speeding up the application process

Since Poland is experiencing a large influx of applications from Ukrainians, it is recommended to carefully prepare all documents and check them for errors in advance. If you have any doubts, it is better to consult a lawyer or migration consultant to avoid refusal due to inaccuracies in the application. Once the documents have been submitted, the review period may vary from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the workload of the office and the type of residence card you are applying for. It is important to monitor the status of your application via the online platform or via the contacts provided on your notification. Obtaining a residence card in Poland is a multi-stage process that requires careful preparation of documents and compliance with all requirements. Correct preparation of documents and timely submission will help to avoid refusals and speed up the process of legalization in the country.